Chapter III

METHODS
In the previous chapter, a literature review and studies was done to explain the
factors that affect the difference between the RCC slab and the Composite slab. This
chapter aims to determine the process and ways to collect and analyze the data. The
researchers present the methods and procedures that were used in gathering sufficient
data for the present study. This chapter describes the research design, corpora of the
study, gathering data procedure, and the research tool.
Research Design
Descriptive and Causal-comparative research are used in this study. According to
Catane (2000), Descriptive research endeavours to describe systematically, factually,
accurately and objectively a situation, problem or phenomenon. Causal-Comparative
research delves on analysing on the possible effect of a factor which cannot be
manipulated and controlled.
Research Locale
The study was conducted in SKS Interiors Incorporated, Maria Guerrero Street,
Poblacion District, Davao City, Philippines.
Research Subject
Three-story commercial buildings that use Composite slab design were chosen as
the research subject.

Fig. 2. Flow chart of the research procedures

Drawing conclusions from the Findings

Interpreting and analysing the data

Gathering the data

Conducting the study

Choosing the subject for this study

Asking permission to conduct the study

study.
The following were the procedures followed by the researcher in conducting the
Research Procedures

In determining the difference costs of each material between the different types of
slab, the researcher performed the following procedures:
1. Asking permission to conduct the study
The researchers secured permission from the company Ugnayan Builders
Davao Corporation to acquire the plan and the estimated cost of the three storey
commercial building used for this research.

2. Choosing the subject for this study

The SKS Interiors Incorporated was chosen to be the subject of this
research since it was recently constructed using Composite Slab. The proposed
design was Reinforced Cement Concrete Slab, however, Composite Slab was
used in the actual construction in the building.

3. Conducting the Study

The blueprint to the design and the estimated cost of the said three-story
commercial building was provided by the SKS Interior Incorporated to be used as
a reference for the research.

4. Gathering the data

The letter of request to gather data was submitted to the main office of
Ugnayan Builders Davao Corporation.

5. Interpreting and analysing the data

After the successful turn out of the data being gathered by the researchers,
the gathered data were re-estimated using a different type of slab, RCC Slab. The
data were successfully analyzed and solved.

6. Drawing Conclusion from the Findings

From the validated data, the researcher then drew conclusions from the
difference in cost between the two types of slab.

Research Tool
The table below is the classification of the material pricing, in which it helps the
researcher in interpreting and analyzing the data by computing the cost estimation in each
of the slab types, the RCC and Composite Slab. The first column indicates the materials
that are going to be used. Second and fourth column indicates the unit cost or of each
material. The third and last column indicates the price that corresponds the unit.

RATES
DESCRIPTION
rebars
concrete
formworks/scaffol
dings
steel deck

MATERIAL COST
33
4200
400

UNIT
pesos/kl.
pesos/cu.m
pesos/sq.m
.

450

pesos/sq.m

LABOR
COST
10
350
200
75

UNIT
pesos/kl.
pesos/cu.m
pesos/sq.m
.
pesos/sq.m
.